DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshops
with DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer, Dalia Abrams

Birmingham Trainings
Sponsored by BirthWell Partners

April 2019

Doula Training Workshop, including DONA required Introduction to Childbirth Education  $500

Day 1: Thursday, April 4th, 8:30 am - 5 pm
Day 2: Friday, April 5th, 8:30 am  – 5:00 pm
Day 3: Saturday, April 6th, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Day 4: Sunday April 7th, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm*
     *including a morning tour of Princeton Hospital birth suites

Breastfeeding Class:
Supporting Breastfeeding in a First Food Desert  $50
Wednesday, April 10th, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- to register for only this class go here -

Perinatal Health Advocate Training  $40
Wednesday, April 10th, 1:30-5:00 pm
- to register for only this class go here -

Fall 2019

Doula Training Workshop, including DONA required Introduction to Childbirth Education  $500

Day 1: Thursday, Sept. 19th, 8:30 am - 5 pm
Day 2: Friday, Sept. 20th am  – 5:00 pm
Day 3: Saturday, Sept. 21st, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Day 4: Sunday Sept. 22nd, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm*
     *including a morning tour of Princeton Hospital birth suites

Breastfeeding Class:
Supporting Breastfeeding in a First Food Desert  $50
Wednesday Sept. 25th, 8:30 am – 12:30pm 
- to register for only this class go here -

Perinatal Health Advocate Training  $40
Wednesday Sept. 25th, 1:30-5:00 pm
- to register for only this class go here -
Register online here
OR
To register by mail, email Dalia for a registration form that you can mail with your payment to: 
        Dalia Abrams - 976 Linwood Road - Birmingham, AL 35222
     Make checks payable to BirthWell Partners

If cost is a barrier, consider applying for a need based scholarship through BirthWell Parters (this option only available for residents of Birmingham, Anniston or Tuscaloosa)
Thank you for considering my doula training. I know that there are many organizations that certify birth doulas, and many birth doula trainers. You might find it helpful to read the blog post Top Ten Questions for Choosing a Doula Training to help you decide what works best for you. Here is a listing of other doula training options.

About the Trainer:  
I have been a Childbirth Educator and lactation specialist since 1996 and a Doula since 2008. I am  the founder of BirthWise in Birmingham, a group of doulas providing birth and postpartum doula support, childbirth education, breastfeeding support and parenting education. I am a Lamaze certified childbirth educator (LCCE), a DONA certified birth doula and doula trainer (CD(DONA) and BDT(DONA)), and received my Lactation Counselor Certification (CLC) from Healthy Children’s Center for Breastfeeding.

About the Birth Doula Workshop:
This course is for anyone interested in assisting women and families to have a satisfying birth experience.  It is designed to help participants become expert labor support providers.  It uses texts and supplementary literature, DVD, and practical skills. Attendance constitutes one step in the process of becoming a DONA Int’l.-certified Doula (CD).  
On completion of the intensive 22-28-hour workshop, participants will be able to:
  • Identify the significance of birth to a person's life and their family.
  • Define doula, labor support person and midwife and the scope of their practices.
  • List benefits of a doula on obstetrical outcomes from current research.
  • Describe emotional and physical needs of people in labor and their support team: partner, family, friends.
  • Demonstrate helpful labor positions, recognize onset of labor and identify progress during labor.
  • Demonstrate non-pharmacological pain reduction methods.
  • Discuss VBACs and Cesarean delivery and the role of the doula.
  • Describe the doula’s role in the postpartum period.
  • Discuss DONA International certification process and membership benefits.
Required Reading:
Reading this before attending the doula training will greatly enhance your learning experience during the workshop. The Birth Partner is used as a text during the workshop so please bring it with you. I try to have a few copies of this book for sale at the workshop, contact me directly if you would like to reserve a copy. Books can be also purchased online through the DONA International website
Topics covered:

  • Introduction to DONA Int’l.-Explanation of the criteria for doula certification, standards of practice, code of ethics and membership
  • Introduction to Labor Support-The long-term significance of birth and its application to maternity care today, plus a review of relevant research studies
  • Prenatal Contact Between Doulas and Clients - Record keeping, the birth plan, and meeting clients’ needs
  • Emotional Support in Labor - The emotional needs of the laboring person, how they affect labor, and how to meet those needs
  • Comfort Measures for Labor - Hands-on practice of numerous techniques that address clients' fears, provide pain relief and assist in the progress of labor
  • Difficult Labors and Special Situations - Application of knowledge and skills to hypothetical labor scenarios
  • Cesarean and VBAC - Description of the emotional and physical needs of the client, their partner and the baby
  • The Newborn - The doula’s role in helping get breastfeeding off to a great start and supporting the first hours after birth
  • Postpartum Contact Between Doula and Client - Purposes of the postpartum visit, and the importance of talking about the birth experience
  • Role Modeling and Role Playing of Labor - An opportunity to rehearse labor support skills.
Prerequisites for the Doula Training:
Attending our Intro to Childbirth Education class, or observing a full childbirth education series (not as an expectant parent and preferably at least 12 hours long) is required for certification. It is preferable (but not mandatory) to meet this requirement BEFORE the workshop. The class must be taught by an approved instructor. (For a list of approved instructors check here.) Childbirth educators, nurses with labor and birth experience, midwives or midwifery students and those who have attended another doula workshop do not need to attend this introduction class or to observe a childbirth series before the workshop. However, it is highly recommended that you do attend the introduction class. You would also benefit from watching birth videos, and beginning to read the required texts before the training. If possible, try to attend a few births.

Watching birth documentaries is a huge help. You can start here:
The Business of Being Born and other related films are here
(The Business of Being Born is also available as a DVD on Netflix)
Organic Birth is here

Birth Doula Workshop Participant Testimonials

"I learned that as a doula we can change time and space with love for a laboring mother."
"I think the biggest thing I've learned is the importance of using our language to show respect and compassion. This class taught me a life-long, priceless lesson. I am so much more aware of this now thanks to the workshop."
"What I loved most about this class was that I learned about myself. I loved the exercises we did as groups."